High efficiency damper for bicycle suspension

ABSTRACT

A shock absorber has a valve controlling the flow rate of fluid between a first chamber and a second chamber. The shock absorber may include a blocker that has a variable profile. The blocker may be rotatable using an external adjuster to position the blocker to variably occlude an aperture and vary the damping of the suspension. A bias may also be positioned adjacent the blocker to allow force from the fluid to move the blocker and expose the aperture, thereby allowing fluid to flow through the entirety of the aperture.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claimes priority to U.S. Provisional Patent App.Ser. No. 62/139,874, filed on Mar. 30, 2015, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field Of The Invention

The invention relates generally to suspension components on vehicles,and more particularly to a shock absorber with a damper valve thatincorporates a blocker with a variable profile and a bias to provideadjustable damping of suspension compression.

2. Description Of The Related Art

Conventional shock absorbers employ a piston in a cylinder containing asubstantially incompressible fluid. Orifices in the piston and passagesleading to a fluid reservoir regulate the flow of the fluid so as todamp the oscillation of a suspension spring. In more advanced designs, adamper valve may also be incorporated at an end of a suspension or shockabsorber. Valves of this design open progressively with greater forceand can be used to damp low-speed compression and/or extension of shockabsorbers while preventing pressure “spikes” and consequent harshness ofride when the suspension must compress deeply and quickly. They can alsopermit the shock to extend rapidly after deep compression while slowingit sufficiently near maximum extension to prevent harsh “topping out”.

A traditional front fork is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 2 being asection of one leg of the fork. A damper may be conventionallyincorporated into the area shown in dashed lines on FIG. 2.

A damper currently in production by Mountain Racing Products is shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, FIG. 3 being an exploded view of FIG. 4. In this priorart embodiment of a damper 300, a blocker 302 is used to variably blockapertures 304 in a housing 306. The blocker 302 is biased towards aramped portion 312 using a spring 308 and a magnet 310. Teeth 314project from a bottom end 316 of the blocker 302. When the blocker 302is rotated by an external adjuster (not shown), each tooth 314 ridesalong a sloped guide 318 in the ramped portion 312. This rotationalmovement rotates the blocker 302 relative to the housing 306 and theapertures 304. In addition, the rotational movement also axially movesthe blocker 302 relative to the housing 306. This axial position of theblocker 302 governs the amount of the apertures 304 that are exposed andthrough which fluid can flow without triggering the valve. FIG. 4 showsthe blocker 302 in a high axial position, exposing almost all of eachaperture 304. Upon application of a force on the bottom end 316 of theblocker 302 due to a compression stroke, the blocker 302 moves axiallyto most fully expose each aperture 304 and maximally allow fluid to flowthrough the apertures 304.

However, in such a design, the amount of force required to begin theopening of the valve will vary, depending on the rotational position ofthe blocker. This is because adjusting the rotational position of theblocker will also adjust the axial position of the blocker. This changein axial position will also change the preload on the spring and willmove the magnet to reduce the magnetic closing force.

Accordingly, it may be desirable for a damper to allow for an adjustmentof the valve to allow variable damping, while having a consistent forceprofile for fluid overcoming the bias and opening the valve to acompletely open position and reclosing the valve. Further, it may bedesirable for such a design to have a reduced turbulence and viscousdrag to improve fluid flow through the aperture.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a damped bicycle suspension containing asubstantially incompressible fluid includes a valve body, a blocker, abias, and an adjuster. The valve body may define at least one aperture.The aperture may have a size and shape and may allow passage of thesubstantially incompressible fluid between a first chamber and a secondchamber. The blocker may be configured to be capable of rotationalmovement about and axial movement along an axis of rotation. Each of theaxial and rotational movement may be substantially independent of theother. The bias may be positioned against one end of the blocker and mayaxially urge the blocker toward a blocking position. The adjuster may beconnected to the blocker and may be configured to rotationally move theblocker. The blocker may be rotationally positionable in a fully openposition, where an opening defined in the blocker is maximally adjacentthe at least one aperture. The blocker may be rotationally positioned ina fully closed position, where the opening defined in the blocker ismaximally away from the at least one aperture.

The aperture may be an elongated slot. The opening defined in theblocker may be a relief on a free end of the blocker. The slot may havea substantially flat bottom. The blocker may move to an exposureposition when a force applied to the blocker by the bias is exceeded byanother force on the blocker. The adjuster may be capable of beingrotated to move the blocker to variably occlude the aperture in thevalve body. Flow of the substantially incompressible fluid between thefirst chamber and the second chamber may be substantially prevented whenthe blocker is positioned in the fully closed position and a force ofthe bias has not been exceeded.

In another embodiment, a damped bicycle suspension includes a valvebody, a blocker, an adjuster, and a bias. The valve body may define atleast one elongated aperture having a length and configured to allow asubstantially incompressible fluid to flow between a first chamber and asecond chamber. The blocker may define a continuous relief extendingaround only a portion of the circumference of the blocker. The adjustermay extend outside the valve body and may be capable of rotating theblocker, thereby varying the relative rotational positions of the reliefand the at least one elongated aperture. The bias may be adjacent oneend of the blocker and may apply a force to the blocker in an axialdirection along an axis about which the blocker is rotatable. Theblocker may be configured to be capable of displacement between ablocking position and an exposure position, where the exposure positionallows fluid to flow through the length of the at least one elongatedaperture. A magnitude of the force applied to the blocker in an axialdirection by the bias may be independent of the rotational position ofthe blocker relative to the at least one elongated aperture.

The at least one elongated aperture may extend around about one half ofthe circumference of the valve body. The continuous relief may extendaround about one half of the circumference of the blocker. The blockermay be configured to be capable of moving to the exposure position whenanother force on the blocker exceeds the force applied by the bias. Theadjuster may be configured to rotate the blocker to a fully openposition, where a maximum portion of the continuous relief is positionedadjacent the at least one elongated aperture, and to a fully closedposition, where a minimum portion of the continuous relief is positionedadjacent the at least one elongated aperture. The adjuster may becapable of being rotated to move the blocker to variably occlude the atleast one elongated aperture. The bias may be capable of resistingpressure from the substantially incompressible fluid in at least one ofthe chambers. Flow of the substantially incompressible fluid between thefirst chamber and the second chamber may be substantially prevented whenthe blocker is in the fully closed position and pressure from thesubstantially incompressible fluid is insufficient to overcome a forceexerted by the bias.

In another embodiment, a damped suspension for a bicycle includes avalve body and a damping valve. The valve body may at least partiallydefine a first chamber, a second chamber, and an aperture therebetween.The first chamber and the second chamber may each be capable ofcontaining at least a portion of a substantially incompressible fluid.The aperture may be configured to allow the substantially incompressiblefluid to flow between the first chamber and the second chamber. Thedamping valve may be intermediate the first chamber and the secondchamber. The damping valve may include a blocker, an adjuster, and abias. The blocker may be rotatably disposed in the valve body and maydefine a relief at least partially around a periphery of the blocker.The adjuster may be attached to the blocker and may extend outside thevalve body. The adjuster may be capable of rotating the blocker to varya rotational position of the relief and thereby to variably occlude theaperture. The bias may be configured to axially urge the blocker towarda blocking position along an axis of rotation of the blocker. Pressurefrom the substantially incompressible fluid in the first chamber may becapable of axially moving the blocker into an exposure position. Amagnitude of a force applied by the bias may be substantiallyindependent of the rotational position of the relief.

The aperture may be an elongated slot. The elongated slot may extendabout halfway around the circumference of the valve body. The relief mayextend about halfway around the circumference of the blocker. The biasmay be configured to allow the blocker to move toward an exposureposition upon a sharp force applied to the suspension.

In another embodiment, a suspension system of a vehicle may include afirst chamber, a second chamber, and a valve. The valve may control flowof a substantially incompressible fluid between the first chamber andthe second chamber.

The valve may include a valve body, a rotatable blocker, a bias, and asupport. The valve body may define an aperture capable of permitting thesubstantially incompressible fluid to flow between the first chamber andthe second chamber. The rotatable blocker may have an axis and a firstend. A bias may be configured to exert a force on the blocker in a firstdirection along the axis. A support may be configured to contact thefirst end of the rotatable blocker when the bias positions the blockerin a blocking position. The support may be spaced from the aperture.

The rotatable blocker may be configured to be rotatable about its axis.The blocker may define an opening. The suspension system may alsoinclude an adjuster capable of rotating the opening relative to theaperture. The blocker may be configured to move within an interiorcavity of the valve body.

The support may be positioned substantially symmetrically within thevalve body. At least half the support may be positioned in the valvebody in the half of the interior volume of the valve body remote fromthe aperture.

In another embodiment, a suspension system of a vehicle may include afirst chamber, a second chamber, and a valve. The valve may control flowof a substantially incompressible fluid between the first chamber andthe second chamber.

The valve may include a valve body, a rotatable blocker, an adjuster anda bias. The valve body may define an aperture capable of permitting thesubstantially incompressible fluid to flow between the first chamber andthe second chamber. The rotatable blocker may have an axis and a firstend having a surface area. The adjuster may adjustably rotate therotatable blocker. The bias may be configured to exert a force on theblocker in a first direction along the axis.

During a stroke of a suspension system, force applied to the blocker bythe substantially incompressible fluid in a second direction along theaxis opposite the first direction may be capable of exceeding the forceexerted by the bias on the blocker. This may thereby move the blockerfrom a position blocking the aperture to a position exposing theaperture. The surface area of the first end of the rotatable blockerexposed to the substantially incompressible fluid in the positionblocking the aperture may be independent of the rotational position ofthe rotatable blocker.

The rotatable blocker may be configured to be rotatable about its axis.The blocker may define an opening. The suspension system may alsoinclude an adjuster capable of rotating the opening relative to theaperture. The blocker may move within an interior cavity of the valvebody. The blocker may be substantially cylindrical.

The suspension system may further include a support spaced from theaperture within the valve body and against which the bias biases theblocker. The support may be positioned substantially symmetricallywithin the valve body. At least half the support may be positionedwithin the valve body in the half of the interior volume of the valvebody remote from the aperture.

In another embodiment, a suspension system for a vehicle includes afirst chamber, a second chamber, and a valve for controlling the flow ofa substantially incompressible fluid between the first chamber and thesecond chamber. The valve may include a valve body, a blocker, andadjuster, and a bias.

The valve body may have a sidewall at least partially defining anaperture that defines a fluid flow path between the first chamber andthe second chamber. The valve body may extend to a valve body opening.The blocker may be disposed in the valve body. The blocker may have afirst end, a second end, and an axis about which the blocker isrotatable and along which the blocker is displaceable into a pluralityof axial positions. The adjuster may be attached to the blocker and maybe configured to adjustably rotate the blocker. The bias may be capableof exerting an axial force on the second end of the blocker in a firstdirection toward the first end of the blocker. The sidewall and thefirst end of the blocker may at least partially define a void within thesidewall adjacent a lower edge of the aperture and extending toward thevalve body opening.

The suspension system may further include a support positioned withinthe valve body and spaced from the aperture. The support may partiallydefine the void. An opening may be defined in the blocker. The adjustermay be capable of rotating the blocker to position the opening in aplurality of positions to thereby variably occlude the aperture. Theopening may be a relief on one end of the blocker. The void may bedefined in each of the plurality of axial positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a front fork of a bicycle according to thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one leg of the front fork of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a prior art damper;

FIG. 4 is the prior art damper of FIG. 3 in assembled condition;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a damping valveaccording to the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the damper of FIG. 5 in assembled condition;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the damper shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the damper of FIG. 5 with the blocker inthe blocking position assembled in the suspension;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the damper of FIG. 5 with the blocker inthe exposure position assembled in the suspension;

FIG. 10 is a side view of an alternative blocker design;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative blocker design;

FIG. 12 is a side view of a rear suspension of a bicycle in accordancewith the present disclosure; and

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the reservoir chamber of the rearsuspension of FIG. 12.

In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention which isillustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted tofor the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the inventionbe limited to the specific term so selected and it is to be understoodthat each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operatein a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, theword connected or terms similar thereto are often used. They are notlimited to direct connection, but include connection through otherelements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent bythose skilled in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, various terms relating to direction may beused. The elements discussed herein relate to a bicycle. Because, in itsoperable position, a bicycle is oriented generally vertically, i.e.,perpendicular to the ground, the direction terms refer to the positionof an element relative to gravity when the bicycle is in its operableposition. Accordingly, for example, the term “downwardly” refers to thedirection towards the ground when the bicycle is in its operableposition, and the term “forwardly” relates to a direction towards afront wheel of the bicycle when it is in its operable position. Further,the terms “inboard” and “outboard” may be used. The term “inboard”describes a position between one item and a vertical plane substantiallybisecting the bicycle. The term “outboard” describes a position of anobject laterally farther from the vertical centerplane of the bicycle.In addition, the terms “bicycle” and “bike” are used hereininterchangeably. A person having ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that if something is referred to as one, it can refer to theother.

One embodiment of a valve or damper for use in controlling the flow offluid in a bicycle suspension is shown in FIGS. 5-9. As may be seen inFIG. 5, the damper 500 may include a head 502. As may be best seen inFIG. 2, the head 502 may be positioned at a top end 202 of one leg 204of a bicycle suspension 200. In the configuration shown, the bicyclesuspension 200 may be configured to use a substantially incompressiblefluid. Most of the components in the suspension configuration 200 shownare conventional, and other embodiments of suspensions usingsubstantially incompressible fluids could be substituted therefor. Inthe embodiment shown, the leg 204 includes an upper portion 206 and alower portion 208 that telescopically interfit. A plunger 220 isattached to the lower portion 208 and is configured to slide within theupper portion 206. When the suspension 200 is in use, as isconventional, the bicycle may hit an obstacle or there may be additionalimpacts to the wheel to which the suspension is attached. When such animpact occurs, the upper portion 206 and lower portion 208 move towardone another, the plunger 220 moving upward relative to the upper portion206. This movement of the plunger 220 will move the substantiallyincompressible fluid upward toward the damper 500, and when appropriate,through the damper 500, based on the configuration of the damper 500 asdescribed in greater detail below.

Returning to FIG. 5, the head 502 may include threads 504 that allow thedamper 500 to be attached within the leg 204. A valve body 506 may besecured to the head 502. The valve body 506 may include threads 508 thatmate with threads 510 on the head 502. The valve body 506 may be annularand may define at least one aperture 512 therethrough. The aperture 512may be configured to allow passage of the substantially incompressiblefluid between a first chamber 210 and a second chamber 212 (best seen inFIG. 2), as will be described in greater detail below. In the embodimentshown in the FIGS., the first chamber 210 is a compression chamber andthe second chamber 212 is a reservoir chamber. The valve body 506 may atleast partially define the first chamber 210 and the second chamber 212.The valve body may have an axis 514 in its center, and along which otherparts may be aligned.

The aperture 512 may desirably be an elongated slot, as shown, but mayalso take the form of a series of smaller apertures or any otherdesirable configuration. The aperture 512 may have a shape and size. Inmany embodiments, it may be desirable for the aperture 512 to have asubstantially flat or planar lower surface 513 and a substantially flator planar upper surface 515. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, thefirst end 517 and the second end 519 of the aperture 512 may be curved.A person having ordinary skill in the art is able to select an apertureof an appropriate shape and size to allow an appropriate volume ofsubstantially incompressible fluid to flow therethrough.

The opening and closing of the aperture 512 may be governed by theposition of a blocker 516. The blocker 516 may be disposed or positionedwithin the valve body 506. The blocker 516 may have an axis 523 that iscoaxial with the axis 514 of the valve body 506. It will be understoodby a person having ordinary skill in the art that references to the axis514 may also refer to the axis 523 and vice versa where, as in theembodiments illustrated herein, the axis 514 and the axis 523 arecoaxial. The blocker 516 may be substantially cylindrical and mayinclude a central aperture 518. In the embodiment shown, the centralaperture 518 has a hex shape, but such a shape is subject to theselection of a designer. The blocker 516 may define a second openingthat allows fluid to flow from the first fluid chamber 210 through thesecond opening and the aperture 512 and into the second fluid chamber212. The second opening may substantially correspond in size and shapeto the size and shape of the aperture 512. As shown in the illustratedembodiment, the second opening may be a relief 520. As shown in theillustrated embodiment, the relief 520 may be continuous. In otherembodiments, the relief 520 may be a series of discontinuous reliefs.The relief 520 may define a passageway for fluid to flow through theaperture 512 in the valve body 506, as will be described in greaterdetail below. In many embodiments, for ease of manufacturing, the relief520 may be formed on one side 522, which in the illustrated embodimentis a bottom side or free end, of the blocker 516. In some embodiments,the relief 520 may have a curved profile as shown generally at 521. Inmany embodiments, the relief 520 may be a continuous relief.

Alternative embodiments of the blocker may be seen in FIGS. 10 and 11.Either the blocker 1016 or the blocker 1116 may be substituted for theblocker 516 with minor modifications to the remainder of the design,such as the bias 524, as will be apparent to a person having ordinaryskill in the art.

In the blocker 1016 of FIG. 10, the second opening may be a relief 1020.The relief 1020 may define a passageway for fluid to flow through theaperture 512 in the valve body 506. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10,the relief 1020 is formed on a bottom side 1022 of the blocker 1016. InFIG. 10, the relief has an angular configuration, shown most clearly at1021.

In other embodiments, the second opening may be formed by a through holethrough the blocker 1116, as shown by way of example in FIG. 11. Theblocker 1116 is shown in cross-section. The blocker 1116 may include acentral bore or aperture 1118 similar or identical to the central boreor aperture 518 as described above. In addition, the blocker 1116 mayinclude a second bore or opening 1117 that extends from the bottomsurface 1122 of the blocker to the side surface 1123 of the blocker1116. The second bore 1117 may define a passageway to permit fluid toflow through the aperture 512 in the valve body 506. As shown in theembodiment illustrated, the second bore 1117 may be curved, but may takeanother shape for any desirable reason.

A person having ordinary skill in the art is able to select from amongthe designs shown or other appropriate designs to achieve the resultsthe designer wishes to achieve. The embodiments illustrated are merelyexamples of appropriate designs.

Returning to FIG. 5, a bias 524, such as the coil spring shown, may bepositioned against a second side 526 of the blocker 516 and may axiallyurge or bias the blocker 516 along the axis 514 in a first direction529. An adjuster stem 528 may pass through the bias 524 along the axis514 and into the central cavity 518 of the blocker 516. As may be seen,the lower end 530 of the adjuster stem 528 may have a shape thatcorresponds with the shape of the central aperture 518 of the blocker516. In the illustrated embodiment, that shape is a hex shape. The upperend 532 of the adjuster stem 528 may protrude upward through the head502. In many embodiments, it may be desirable to use an o-ring seal 534to minimize any gap between the adjuster stem 528 and the head 502, inorder to prevent contaminants from entering the suspension system. Asmay be best seen in FIG. 2, the free end 532 of the adjuster stem 528may be attached to an adjuster 214. The adjuster 214 may be configuredto be manipulable by a user to rotate the blocker 516 about the axis514.

As may be apparent to a person having skill in the art, the blocker 516may be configured to fit within and displace or reciprocate within aninner cavity 533 of the valve body 506. Accordingly, the blocker 516 maybe displaceable or positionable into a plurality of axial positions, aswill be discussed in greater detail below. The outer diameter 525 of theblocker 516 may be smaller than the internal diameter 527 of the valvebody 506. In many embodiments, it may be desirable for the outerdiameter 525 and the internal diameter 527 to be relatively close insize to minimize leakage of any substantially incompressible fluidbetween the blocker 516 and the valve body 506.

As may be best seen in FIG. 7, the relative size and shape of theaperture 512 and the relief 520 may be seen. FIG. 7 is a cross sectionalview of the damper 500 in assembled condition. As may be seen, theadjuster stem 528 may be inserted along the axis 514 through the centralaperture 518 in the blocker 516. The blocker 516 may be inserted withinthe valve body 506. The relief 520 may have a length 702. The length 702of the relief may extend about one half of the circumference of theblocker 516. The aperture 512 may be elongated and have a length 704.The length 704 of the aperture 512 may extend about one half of thecircumference of the valve body 506.

The blocker 516 may be configured to rotate about the axis 523, based onthe rotation of the adjuster 214. When the adjuster 214 is rotated, itmay rotate the adjuster stem 528. The rotation of the adjuster stem 528may rotate the blocker 516 about the axis 523 and substantially along aplane substantially perpendicular to the axis 523. This may be seen mostclearly in FIG. 6. A plane 600 substantially perpendicular to the axis514 is shown. The blocker 520 may be configured to rotate substantiallyalong this plane 600, such that the blocker 520 is not axially displacedwhen it is rotated by the adjuster 214.

Looking back to FIG. 7, rotation of the adjuster 214 may adjust therelative position of the relief 520 and the aperture 512, such that theblocker 516 variably occludes the aperture 512. The position shown inFIG. 7 may be considered a fully closed or maximally closed position. Insuch a position, the relief 520 and the aperture 512 do not overlap oneanother, or the relief 520 may be considered to be positioned maximallyaway from the aperture 512. One edge 706 of the relief 520 is shown asabutting an optional stop 708 to appropriately position the relief 520in its fully closed position. In some embodiments, as the one shown inFIG. 7, the stop 708 may be a finger or other projection extending froma support 535, as may be best seen in FIG. 5 and which will be describedin greater detail below. When the blocker 516 is rotated clockwise fromthe fully closed position, a progressively or variably greater portionof the relief 520 may be positioned adjacent the aperture 512. Therotation may continue until the relief 520 is maximally adjacent theaperture 512 and the other edge 710 of the relief 520 contacts the otherside of the stop 708. Such a position may be considered a fully open ormaximally open position. The adjuster 214 may be configured to allowinfinite adjustment to any position between the fully open and the fullyclosed position.

In the embodiment shown, the stop 708 is shown to be of a shape and sizeto allow the blocker 516 to be rotated so that the relief 520 may bepositioned completely away from the aperture 512. In other embodiments,a designer may deem it appropriate for the most closed position to bepositioned to have a small overlap between the relief 520 and theaperture 512. In addition, in the embodiment shown, the stop 708 ispositioned to allow the relief 520 and the aperture 512 to be positionedsubstantially completely adjacent one another in a fully open position.In other embodiments, the relief 520, aperture 512, and/or the stop 708may be configured to restrict the overlap of the relief 520 and theaperture 512. In such configurations, the position of the blocker 516where the relief 520 and aperture 512 have the least overlap may beconsidered the “fully closed” position. The position of the blocker 516where the relief 520 and the aperture 512 have the greatest overlap maybe considered the “fully open” position.

Turning now to FIGS. 8 and 9, in addition to the rotational freedom ofthe blocker 516 about the axis 523 and along the plane 600, the valve500 is also configured to allow movement, displacement, and/orreciprocation of the blocker 516 along the axis 514 between a blockingposition as shown in FIG. 8 and an exposure position as shown in FIG. 9.In a rest configuration, the bias 524 may exert a force or preloadagainst a top side 526 of the blocker 516. This force or preload mayurge the blocker 516 towards the blocking position. When the bicycleencounters an impact, a compression stroke may start, where the plunger220 may move upwardly with respect to the upper portion 206 (see FIG.2). This movement may displace any substantially incompressible fluidpresent within the first fluid chamber 210. As the substantiallyincompressible fluid moves upwardly in response to pressure from theplunger 220, the substantially incompressible fluid may impinge upon thefirst end 522 of the blocker 516, which may be a lower surface or freeend. If the blocker 516 is rotated such that the opening 520 is eitherpartially or maximally open, the substantially incompressible fluid mayflow through the opening 520 and the aperture 512 and into the secondfluid chamber 212 without further effect on the blocker 516. However, ifthe force of the impact is great enough, the magnitude of the forceexerted by the fluid on the lower surface 522 of the blocker 516 in asecond direction 531 may be great enough to exceed the magnitude of theforce exerted by the bias 524 on the second end 526 of the blocker 516,which may be an upper surface. When the force of the bias 524 in thefirst direction 529 is exceeded by the force of the substantiallyincompressible fluid in the opposite, second direction 531, the blocker516 may move or be displaced upwardly to an exposure position and exposethe aperture 512 directly to the first fluid chamber 210. When theblocker 516 moves upwardly, the full length 704 of the aperture 512 maybe exposed, regardless of the rotational position of the blocker 516.Even if the blocker 516 does not move upward to the extent fullyavailable, when the blocker 516 moves upwardly and the full length 704of the aperture 512 is exposed at any height, such a position can besaid to expose the full length 704 of the aperture 512 and the blocker516 may be said to be in the exposure position.

After the compression stroke has ended and the rebound stroke has begun,fluid may return to the first fluid chamber 210 from the second fluidchamber 212 through the aperture 512 if the blocker 516 is rotated to atleast a partially open position. Fluid may also return to the firstfluid chamber through another conventional structure, such as the port800. When the upward pressure from the fluid is removed, the bias 524may again move the blocker 516 downwardly to the blocking position.

In many embodiments, it may be desirable for the flow of substantiallyincompressible fluid between the first chamber 210 and the secondchamber 212 to be substantially prevented when the blocker 516 is in thefully closed position and the blocking position, where any other forceapplied to the blocker 516 is insufficient to overcome or exceed theforce of the bias 524 against the blocker 516. It may also be desirablefor the force of the bias 524 against the top surface 526 of the blocker516 to be independent of the rotational position of the blocker 516. Inthe embodiments shown, the rotation of the blocker 516 may be about theaxis 514 and substantially along a plane 600 substantially perpendicularto the axis 514 of the valve body 506. Because of this configuration,the force applied by the bias 524 on the blocker 516 biasing the blocker516 into the blocking position is likely to remain substantiallyconstant for all rotational positions, and is therefore substantiallyindependent of the rotational position of the blocker 516 and the relief521. A person having ordinary skill in the art may select an appropriatebias that allows the blocker 516 to remain in the blocking position inall desirable circumstances, but that allows the blocker 516 to move toan exposure position when a sharp force is encountered by thesuspension. Further, the force exerted by the fluid on the lower surface522 of the blocker 516 in a second direction 531 is also independent ofthe rotational position of the blocker 516. This is because the entiresurface area of the lower surface 522 of the blocker 516 may be exposedwithin the valve body 506 when the blocker 516 is in the positionblocking the aperture 512, rather than resting on another structure, asmay be common in prior art embodiments.

In some embodiments, the amount of viscous drag may be reduced byselecting an appropriate configuration of the valve. As may be best seenin the exploded view of FIG. 5, a support 535 may be inserted into thevalve body 506. In some embodiments, the support 535 may ride in agroove or slot (not shown) to minimize the movement of the support 535either rotationally or along the axis of rotation 514. A retainer, suchas the snap ring 537 or other suitable structure, may be positionedwithin or adjacent the valve body 506 to hold the support 535 within thevalve body. As may be best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the blocker 516is in the blocking position (FIG. 8), the bias 526 may tend to force theblocker 516 against the support 535. The support 535 may thereby retainthe blocker 516 in an appropriate axial position to allow the opening ofthe aperture 512 upon the application of a desired force of fluidagainst the free end 522 of the blocker 516. In many embodiments, it maybe desirable for the support 535 to be spaced from or otherwise remotefrom the aperture 512. When the support 535 is spaced from the aperture512, viscous drag may be reduced, because there is no structuresubstantially parallel to the free end 522 of the blocker 516 adjacentthe aperture 512. Instead, fluid is able to flow substantially directlyalong the interior surface 539 of the valve body 506 and through theaperture 512. A void 850, as may be best seen in FIG. 8, may be at leastpartially defined adjacent the aperture 512 and within the sidewall orinterior surface 539 of the valve body. The void 850 may be at leastpartially defined by the sidewall 539, one end 522 of the blocker 516,and the support 535. The void may desirably extend away from the loweredge 513 of the aperture towards the valve body opening 551. The void850 may be defined in each axial position taken by the blocker 516, asmay be observed in a comparison of FIGS. 8 and 9. In FIG. 8, where theblocker 516 is in the blocking axial position, the void 850 is smallerthan the void 950 in FIG. 9, where the blocker 516 is in the exposureaxial position. In both exemplary FIGS., the void 850, 950 may extendadjacent or along the sidewall 539 between an area adjacent the loweredge 513 towards the valve body opening 551. However, as shown in FIG.9, the void may also extend between the area adjacent the lower edge 513toward the upper edge 515 as well. In many embodiments, the retainer 537may be spaced from or positioned remote from the aperture 512 in orderto minimize or eliminate any viscous drag from an interfering parallelsurface. The size of the retainer 537 may also be adjusted to minimizeits size adjacent the aperture 512, while allowing a greater sizeopposite the aperture 512. In many embodiments, the support 535 may besubstantially symmetrically shaped, sized, and positioned within thevalve body 506. The use of such a configuration may minimize frictionbetween the blocker 516 and the valve body 506. If friction is less of aconcern, the support 535 may be positioned within the interior volume ofthe valve body 506 in the half of the body that is spaced away from theaperture 512. Such a configuration could include a c-shaped design orother shapes that may be contemplated by a person having ordinary skillin the art. In many embodiments, such as the one shown, the support 535may be positioned substantially symmetrically about a plane bisectingthe valve body 506. One half of the support 535 may be positioned in thehalf of the internal volume of the valve body 506 that is spaced awayfrom the aperture 512. An appropriate size, shape, and placement of thesupport 535 may be selected by a person having ordinary skill in the artto allow the support 535 to be spaced from the aperture 512, therebyminimizing or eliminating viscous drag, while still providing anappropriate stop function relative to the blocker 516 and bias 524. Aswas noted above, in some embodiments, the support 535 may furtherinclude a finger or projection, one example of which is identified withthe number 708, that functions as a stop to restrict rotational movementof the blocker 506 in one or both directions. The precise position andconfiguration of the projection 708 may be selected by a person havingordinary skill in the art depending on the configuration of the blocker506, the support 535, and the remainder of the valve.

Another embodiment of the damped suspension is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.The embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13 is of a rear suspension system, ratherthan the front suspension system of FIGS. 1, 2, and 5-11. Most of thesuspension system 1200 is conventional and is not shown in detail. Thesuspension system 1200 may include a closed annular chamber 1202. Asuspension arm 1204 may include a plunger that interfits with thechamber 1202, the details of which are conventional and are not shown. Afirst end 1206 of the suspension 1200 may be attached directly orindirectly to a bicycle frame in a known manner and a second end 1208 ofthe suspension 1200 may be attached directly or indirectly to the wheelin a known manner. When the wheel encounters an obstacle, it may movethe second end 1208 toward the first end 1206, thereby moving theplunger upward in the chamber 1202. This movement may displace asubstantially incompressible fluid therein and force it through apassageway to an auxiliary or reservoir chamber 1212. A dampingmechanism 1214 may be incorporated into the auxiliary chamber 1212.

As will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art, thestructures in the rear damping mechanism 1214 are substantiallyidentical to those described in connection with the front dampingmechanism 500, and accordingly, the details of that construction andfunction will not be repeated here. The differences between the frontdamping mechanism 500 and the rear damping mechanism 1214 relate solelyto the space and size limitations of a rear suspension 1200 versus afront suspension 200. In a front suspension 200, the damper 500 may beincorporated in-line with the remainder of the front suspension 200. Ina rear suspension 1200, space limitations render such a designinappropriate. However, by incorporating an auxiliary chamber 1212, thesubstantially incompressible fluid may flow, upon compression, into thefirst chamber 1216. Depending on the position of the blocker 1218relative to the aperture 1220 and the force of the substantiallyincompressible fluid displaced, the fluid may flow through the aperture1220 into the second chamber 1222. As was true in the earlierembodiment, a user may manipulate the adjuster 1224 to rotate theblocker 1218 and the passageway or relief 1226 about the rotational axis1230 and substantially along a plane 1228 substantially perpendicular tothe axis 1230 of the valve body 1231, thereby variably occluding theaperture 1220. The blocker 1218 may be infinitely adjustable between afully closed position (shown) and a fully open position. Because theblocker 1218 is configured to rotate along the plane 1228, the force ofthe bias 1232 against a first side 1234 of the blocker 1218 may besubstantially independent of the rotational position of the blocker1218. Accordingly, the reciprocation of the blocker 1218 between ablocking position (shown) and an exposure position may be governedalmost entirely by the relative force of the substantiallyincompressible fluid against a second side 1236 of the blocker 1218versus the force applied by the bias 1232 against the first side 1234 ofthe blocker 1218. As was true in the embodiment described above andshown in FIGS. 1-2 and 5-11, it may be desirable in some embodiments forfluid flow from the first chamber 1216 to the second chamber 1222 to besubstantially prevented when the blocker 1218 is in its fully closedposition and the force of the substantially incompressible fluid againstthe second side 1236 of the blocker 1218 is insufficient to overcome theforce applied by the bias 1232 against the first side 1234 of theblocker 1218, i.e., when the blocker is in the fully closed and blockingposition.

A person having ordinary skill in the art may select appropriate sizes,shapes, and qualities of the various parts of the suspension system1200. However, it may be desirable to configure the damping valve 1214such that the blocker 1218 moves to an exposure position upon theapplication of a sharp force to the wheel and to the lower end 1208 ofthe suspension system 1200.

While certain preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendisclosed in detail, it is to be understood that various modificationsmay be adopted without departing from the spirit of the invention orscope of the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A damped bicycle suspension, comprising:(a) a valve body defining at least one elongated aperture having alength and configured to allow a substantially incompressible fluid toflow between a first chamber and a second chamber; (b) a blockerdefining a continuous relief extending around only a portion of thecircumference of the blocker; (c) an adjuster extending outside thevalve body and capable of rotating the blocker, thereby varying relativerotational positions of the relief and the at least one elongatedaperture; and (d) a bias adjacent one end of the blocker and applying aforce to the blocker in an axial direction along an axis about which theblocker is rotatable; wherein the blocker is configured to be capable ofdisplacement between a blocking position and an exposure position, wherethe exposure position allows fluid to flow through the length of the atleast one elongated aperture; wherein a magnitude of the force appliedto the blocker in an axial direction by the bias is independent of arotational position of the blocker relative to the at least oneelongated aperture; and wherein the bias is the only bias applying forceto the blocker.
 2. The damped bicycle suspension according to claim 1,wherein the at least one elongated aperture extends around about onehalf of the circumference of the valve body.
 3. The damped bicyclesuspension according to claim 1, wherein the continuous relief extendsaround about one half of the circumference of the blocker.
 4. The dampedbicycle suspension according to claim 1, wherein when a fluid force onthe blocker exceeds the force applied by the bias, the blocker isconfigured to be capable of moving to the exposure position.
 5. Thedamped bicycle suspension according to claim 2, wherein the continuousrelief extends around about one half of the circumference of theblocker.
 6. The damped bicycle suspension according to claim 1, whereinthe adjuster is configured to rotate the blocker to a fully openposition, where a maximum portion of the continuous relief is positionedadjacent the at least one elongated aperture, and to a fully closedposition, where a minimum portion of the continuous relief is positionedadjacent the at least one elongated aperture.
 7. The damped bicyclesuspension according to claim 1, wherein the adjuster is capable ofbeing rotated to move the blocker to variably occlude the at least oneelongated aperture.
 8. The damped bicycle suspension according to claim1, wherein the bias is capable of resisting pressure from thesubstantially incompressible fluid in at least one of the chambers,wherein flow of the substantially incompressible fluid between the firstchamber and the second chamber is substantially prevented when theblocker is in the fully closed position and pressure from thesubstantially incompressible fluid is insufficient to overcome a forceexerted by the bias.